While there has still not been any official confirmation, the Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye – a man not known for spreading unfounded rumours as a rule – is reporting that Naomie Harris, who has been linked with a role in Bond 23 for a while now, will be slotting into place one of the last few elements to escape the reboot clutches of Casino Royale and co: Miss Moneypenny.

The character, most famously played by Lois Maxwell, and most recently assayed by Samantha Bond, has been a key component of the Bond movies. The drily witty, Bond-snarking assistant to M hasn’t yet been seen opposite Daniel Craig’s 007, but that may well change if the story about Harris taking the role pans out.

Moneypenny was last seen in Die Another Day, which saw her parrying with Pierce Brosnan. There’s no word on what might happen to the character in the new film or whether her personality might change, but she’d surely keep up that legendary sarcasm.

Now comes the waiting to see whether Harris or Moneypenny actually get announced for the movie. That, and wondering whether Q (or some character like him) might finally make an appearance.

The Daily Mail journo Baz B is a fantastic writer, and what he specifically suggested was that Moneypenny - like Bond - has a naval ranking, which suggests (to me, anyhow) that our girl will be caught up in the fray.....................very interesting idea, although I'm not sure what Ian Fleming would have felt about that............... More

They gave her flippin small time, sub serviant Money Penny. Victory for feminists everywhere? Erm, no. Not really. hope this turns out to be untrue...Know I'm alone in saying this, particularly as a male, but Bond is best without the random sex scenes thrown in. He should just get on with blowing sh** up and gunning baddies down like a real man! More

Unless Moneypenny actually turns out to be the female lead it's dissapointing that Harris has to make do with playing a secretary. Along with Jeffrey Wright, that's another talented black actor relegated to the sidekick role. More

I like Naomie Harris. A lot. But why would she accept Moneypenny? It's such a pointless role. The only way she would say yes is if she was offered a more plump role and I for one don't need to see a secretary out in the field. I don't even want a Q. Silly gadgets are for the past. Rumour or not, I don't like it. More